Apparatus for treating artificial-silk and other threads.



M. LINFOOT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTIFICIAL SILK AND OTHER THREADS- APIELICATION FILED AUG-I0, I9I5.

J1 ,%Q% 1 G1 I, Patented June 5, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

hVVE/VTWR M. LINFOOT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTIFICIAL SILK AND OTHER THREADS APPLICATION FILED AUG-l0, I915- 13%9 1 @1 o Patented June 5, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- v M. LINFOOT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTIFICIAL SILK AND OTHER THREADS- APPLICATION FILED AUG-l0, 191s.

1$9JL T PatentedJune 5,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- /Nl/EN TOR MflUFF/CE LINFO T EV MM M. LINFOOT.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTIFICIAL SILK AND OTHER THREADS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-I0 I9I5- 1,28%1 UL Patented June 5, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTIFICIAL SILK AND OTHER THREADS.

APPLICATION FILEIJ AUG-10, I915.

M. LINFOOT.

1mm m I Patented (T111165, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- F' .5. I m w m l] 0 64 66 e0 59 I I l P l 61 5 i J v o 50 M! Yaw 7'0 R MHz/Ems L n/Foo 7- turn ears Para 0F BOOKING BRAINTREE, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOB T0 COURTAU'LIDS LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

MKURIGE LINFOOT,

' ora on,

APPARATUS FOR' TREATING ARTIFICIAL-SILK AND OTHER THREADS.

aaaaror.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5 1191 7.

Application filed August 10, 1915. Serial No. 44,769.

To allwhom it may concern Be it known that I, MAURICE LINFoo'r, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at The Knoll, Booking Braintree, in the county of Essex, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Artificial- Silk and other Threads, of which the following is a .to threads of artificial silk for use as warp threads, from which its application to other threads, and for other purposes, will be readily understood.

Heretofore it has been proposed in the application of sizing, or other liquid, to yarn, to employ guide-rollers, situated between the supply, or let-01f roller and the roller which applies the treating liquid, to

the yarn, the said yarn being led around the guide-rollers prior to its contact with the roller which applies the treating liquid. According to this invention the threads pass from a supply roller or let-ofl" beam direct to a take-up beam, the threads in their direct passage from one beam to the other, being subjected to a sizing, or dyeing treatment by surface contact with a rotatable roller, or the equivalent, and'subsequently to a gradual drying action by being passed over a heated cell having a surface of large superficial area. lhe threads pass direct from the supply, or let-0E roller, to the rotatable roller, which applies the treatingliquid, no guide-rollers being employed between the treating-liquid applying roller, and the supply, or let-0E roller. 2

When treating threads according to this invention we prefer toemploy threadshaving the minimum amount of twists, or turns, (say two instead of six or eight per inch) whereby we obtain threads uniformly sized and stretched, and in the subsequent woven fabric, a more uniform piece of cloth, with the maximum amount of brightness, or luster, and possessing great softness to the touch.

In apparatus according to this invention, in order to obtain threads as aforesaid, '1 so arrange the machine that the threads under treatment shall be passed through approximately in the same plane and in as direct a line as possible so as to cause a minimum amount of strain and at the same time to present each thread readily to the operators hands. In applying the size to the threads, 1 cause the threads to pass from the supply or let-off beam direct to and over the upper surface of a roller rotating in contact with a solution of size, thereby avoiding the squeezing of the threads and possibly the breaking of the same. After passing over the sizing roller the threads are caused to pass over a heated surface, or surfaces, consisting of a closed chamber (which is suitably heated for example by steam) having a smooth upper surface of large area over which the said threads pass, but so as not to come immediately into actual contact with the said upper surface during the first portion of their passage, thereby providing for the evaporation-of the superfluous moisture from the size and preventing the said threads sticking to the smooth upper surface. The threads pass from the surface of the cell onto the front beam, or take-up roller,

which may be provided with pressure rolls,"

- horizontally by a rod, or rods.

suitably separated vertically by a reed and The threads next pass over the surface of the steam heated cell and then through a cross-taking reed for putting the threads uniformly on the front warp beam or roller hereinafter referred to as the take-up beam and taking an end-and-end lease. A lifting rod, or lifting rods, preferably of glass may be arranged at, or near, each end, and outside of the heated cell which can be so operated that when the apparatus stops the threads, can be raised clear of the hot surface so as to prevent the burning of the said threads or the sticking of the same to the surface of the cell, the rods being lowered again when the machine is restarted. The glass rod between the let ofi beam and sizing roll may be similarly operated so that thethreads may also be lifted clear of the sizing roller when the rotation of the take-up beam is stopped. The raising and lowering of the glass rods, may be elfected simultaneously with the stopping and starting of the aforesaid rotation of the take-up beam by means of rods, and links, or the equivalent, suitably arranged and connected to any suitable moving, or movable part of the apparatus; or, the said glass rods may be connected to a common rod, or bar, which may be actuated by the falling of a weight, or weights, to effect the raising of the glass rods, the low ering of the said rods being effected when desired, by the depression of atreadle, or treadles. In order to prevent, or minimize any injurious effect which may arise from the sudden falling of the weight, or weights,

' a dash-pot, or dash-pots, may be provided,

so that the falling of the weight, or weights, is edected gradually. When it is desired to lower the glass rods, the depression of the treadle, or treadles, may be efi'ected from Y either end, or both ends, of the apparatus,

suitable locking mechanism being provided to maintain the treadle, or treadles, in this position against the action of the weight, or weights.

A variable speed driving gear is provided for driving the take-up beam at a gradually decreasing velocity so as to allow for the gradually increasing diameter of the said take-up beam, so that the threads pass through the apparatus at a uniform rate.

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings show in longitudinal section on the line A, B, of lgig. 3, in transverse section on the line C, D, of Fig. 1 and in plan (with parts removed and partly in section) in Fig. 3, respectively, a preferred form of apparatus in accordance with this invention. Fig. 4, is a transverse section on'the line E, F, of Fig. 1 showing the release mechanism appertaining to the treadle adjacent to the take-up beam, and an end elevationof the release mechanism appertaining to the treadle adjacent to the let-ofi beam. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the driving clutch.

In the apparatus illustrated the threads 1 to be treated are wound on a rotatable let-off beam 2 (see Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings) mounted in open-topped bearings 3 situated at one end of the apparatus and they are drawn from the said let-ofi' beam, by a rotatable take-up beam, 4, mounted in suitable bearings 5 situated at the other end of the apparatus. The threads 1 are led from the let-0d beam, or roller, 2 under a rod 6, preferably of glass, and then through a comb 7 and onto a rotating roller 8 dipping into a trough9 containing a solution of size which is uniformly applied, by the said roller 8, to the threads as they are drawn thereover. From the sizing roller 8 the threads 1 pass through'a reed 10 and they may, if desired, pass over, or under, rods 11 so as to be separated both horizontally and vertically. The threads 1 next pass over the surface of a heated cell 12 which dries them and they then finally pass through a cross-taking reed 13 onto the take-up beam, t. The surface of the heated cell 12 is preferably of a formation such that the threads 1 do not come immediately into actual contact therewith during the first, portion of their passage thereby providing for the evaporation of the superfluous moisture from the size and, preventing the threads sticking to the said surface.

Rods 14, preferably of glass, are provided, in proximity to the ends of the heated cell 12, which are adapted and operated to gagement-with the said heated cell. If desired the rod 6 may also be caused to ascend and descend with the stopping and startingv of the rotation of the take-up beam 4, so that the, threads 1 are out of enga ement -With the sizing roller 8 (which is preferably constantly rotating) when the said beam is not rotating and in engagement with the said roller when the said beam is rotating. The rods 6 and 14 may be caused to ascend and descend simultaneously with the stopping and Starting of the rotation of the' take-up beam 4 and this may be effected as hereinafter described.

Rotation of the sizing'roller 8 is effected from a pulley 15 (see Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings) formed in one with a L sleeve 16 mounted on a shaft 17, and adapted to rotate'freely thereon, or to be clutched thereto as desired, the said sleeve having also formed in one therewith a pulley 18 to which rotary motion can be transmitted from any suitable power driven shaft. Ro tary motion is transmitted from the pulley 15 by a belt19 (see Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings) to a pulley 20 secured to a. counter-shaft 21 having another pulley 22 secured thereto (see Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings) from which rotary motion is transmitted, by a belt 23, to a pulley 24, secured to a vertical shaft 25 provided with a toothed wheel 26 gearing with a toothed wheel 27 secured to the shaft 28 of the sizing roller 8.

The pulley 15 constitutes one member of a clutch, the other member 29 of which is slidably secured to the shaft 17 so that when the said clutch members are in engagement, as shown in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the said shaft is rotated, and this rotary motion is transmitted through a variable speed driving gear 30 to a shaft 31 which acts, by means of a flexible connection, to rotate the take-up beam 4, and this is preferably effected in the following manner: Secured to the shaft 17 is a pulley 32 which transmits, by a belt 33, rotary motionto a pulley 34 secured to a shaft 35 of the variable speed driving gear 30, from which shaft 35 the motion is transmitted to a second shaft 38 of the said variable speed gear by means of a belt passing around expansibleconed pulleys 36 and 37, mounted on the shafts 35 and 38 respectively. Secured to the shaft 38 is a pulley 39 which transmits, by a belt 40, rotary motion to a pulley 41 secured to a shaft 42, which in turn transmits its motion, through worm gearing 43, to the shaft 31. A recess 44 is provided in the end of the shaft 31 for. the reception of one end of the shaft 45 of the take-up beam, 4. the other end of the said shaft being carried in the open-topped bearing 5. Rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft 31 to the take-up beam, 4, by means of a strap 46, or its equivalent, connected to a crank arm 47, secured to the said shaft 31, and connected to ,the said take-up beam, in the manner usually adopted for rotating warp-beams, or rollers. The variable speed driving gear 30 may be of any known, or suitable, kind and it may, if desired, be provided with means whereby the speed is caused to be automatically varied in accord ance with the amount of threads wound on the take-up beam, 4, so that the said threads are drawn through the apparatus at a uniform rate, or, if desired, hand operated means. such, for example, as shown in Fig. 3,

of the accompanying drawings, may be employed for this purpose. A pressure roller 48 suitably mounted on the end of a counter-balanced arm 49 is provided which is adapted to bear upon the threads on the take-up beam, or roller, 4 and causes the said threads to be firmly and compactly wound on the said takeup beam.

Simultaneous movement of the clutch member 29 into, or out of, engagement with its member, whereby the rotation of the take-up beam 4 is started or stopped, and of the rods 14 and 6, whereby the threads 1 are lowered, or raised, as aforesaid is preferably efi ected as follows: Mounted in suitable bearings on'the end of the apparatus carrying the take-up beam, 4, is a. shaft 50 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings) which is adapted to be turned in one direction by a treadle 51 in opposition to the action of a weightcontrolled lever 52 which acts to turn the said shaft in the opposite direction. Secured to the shaft 50 is a lever 53 which is connected, by a link 54 (see Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings) to a clutch-shifter 55 pivoted to the frame of the apparatus, and engaging, in the usual way, with an annular recess 56 formed on the boss 57 of the longitudinally movable member 29 of the clutch. The arrangement is such that upon the treadle 51 being depressed the said member 29 is moved into its engaging position and the shaft 17 is rotated, and upon the treadle being raised, by the action of the weightcontrolled lever 52, the saidv member is moved into its disengaged position and consequently the rotation of the said shaft is stopped. The apparatus may, if desired, be provided with a treadle 58, at its other end, which is coupled to the treadle 51, so that the apparatus can be operated from either, or both, of its ends. The treadle 58 is secured to a shaft 59 and acts in opposition to the action of a weighted lever 60 similarly to the treadle 51. The shafts 50 and 59 have each secured thereto an arm 61, and these arms are coupled, or connected, together by a rod 62. Arms 63 and 64, secured to a shaft 65 mounted in bearings 66 on the side frame of the apparatus, are caused to be moved into the path of the treadles 51 and 58 respectively, when the said treadles are depressed and by engaging with the upper sides thereof prevent the return of the said treadles to their raised position. The shaft 65 is provided with a weighted arm 67 which acts, when the treadles 51 and 58 are depressed, to turn the said shaft in its bearingswhereby the arms 63 and 64 are moved into the path of the said treadles. The shaft 65 can be turned in the direction to effect the release of the treadles by any convenient means. such, for example, as by a hand-lever 68 secured to the said shaft as shown at the takeup beam end of the apparatus, or by a hand-rail 69 (see more particularly Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings) pivoted, at

one end, to a depending piece 70, secured '74, 75, pivoted to the said side frames. One

arm 74, of each of the bell-crank levers is connected to itsrespective carrier rod by a pin and a slot connection and the other arm 7 5 of each of the said bell-crank levers on one side of the apparatus are pivotally connected to a bar 76 while the corresponding arm 75 of each of the bell-crank levers on the other side of the apparatus are similarly connected to another bar 77. Mounted on the before-mentioned shaft is a sleeve 7 8 having secured thereto a weighted arm 79 which controls the lever 52 before referred to, there being a pin and slot, or

equivalent connection, between them so that turning movement of the said shaft-is trans mitted to the sleeve thereon. Secured to the sleeve 78 are arms 80 and 81 which are connected by links 82 and 83 to the bars 76 and 77, respectively, so that by the turning of the sleeve 78 in one direction or the other the bell-cranks 74, 75 are operated to raise, or lower, the carrier rods 73.

Presuming the position of the parts to be that shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, by operating either the hand lever 68, or the hand-rail 69, to turn the shaft 65, the arms 63 and 64 are caused to release the treadles 51 and 58 permitting the shaft 50 to turn, by the action of the Weighted levers 60 and 79, whereby the clutch member 29 is moved out of engagement with its driving member 15, so that rotation of the take-up beam, 4, is stopped, and, simultaneously therewith, the sleeve 78 on the said shaft 50 is turned and operates the bellcrank levers 74:, 75, whereby the rods 6 and 14: are raised and the threads 1 moved out of contact with the sizing roller 8 and the heated cell 12. To restart the apparatus either, or both, of the treadles 51 or 58 are depressed, causing the shaft 50 and the sleeve 78 to turn in the opposite direction, so that the take-up beam, 4, is again rotated and the rods 6 and 14 again lowered to permit the threads 1 to be in contact with the sizing roller 8 and the heated cell 12. Upon the-depression of the treadles 51 and 58 the shaft is turned, by the action of the weighted-lever 67, so that the arms 63 and 64 thereon are moved into the path of the said treadles and prevent them ascend In order to prevent the weighted levers 60. and 79 descending too suddenly their action may be controlled by a dash-pot and this 7 i inbefore described, can, if desired, be disengaged from its bell-crank lever 74, 7 5, so that the threads 1 are always in contact with the constantly rotating sizing roller 8, or the said rod may be caused to be raised and lowered sufiiciently only to relieve and to apply pressure to the said threads without their actually moving out of contact with the said sizing roller.

Although I have described the apparatus for sizing artificial silk threads for use as warp threads it will be understood that it can be used for sizing threads applicable for other purposes and further the apparatus can be readily used for dyeing threads with or without sizing.

What I claim is 2-- l'. In apparatus for treating artificial silk, a treating roller, means for feeding a treating liquid thereto, guide means on opposite sides of the roller for holding the threads in contact with a small are at the top of the roller to insure only momentary contact of the threads with the roller surface as they pass thereover, and automatic means for lifting said guides to move the thread out of engagement with the roller on the halt of the thread feed.

2. In apparatus for treating artificial silk, alet 0E beam and a take up beam, a treating roll and a drier arranged in the order named between said beams and over which the silk is passed in a substantially straight course, and guide means for holding the silk in contact with only a small are at the top of the treating roll and for bringing the silk into gradual contact with the drier, and means for automatically displacing said guide means to lift the silk out of contact with the roll and drier on the halt of the feed.

3. In apparatus for treating artificial silk, a treating roller, a: heated drier over which the treatedthreads are passed, and means for automatically lifting the threads out of contact with the treating roller and drier upon the halt of the thread feed, substantially as described. v

4:. In apparatus for treating artificial silk, a heated drier, means for passing treated threads thereover in contact with portion of it"; superficial area, guards over which said threads pass at each end of the drier and name to this specification in the presence of mesons1 rfneglhaiically associatled gvitlll the two subscribing witnesses. three ee or automatioal y isp acin 1 said guards to-lift the threads out of con MAURICE F 5 tact With. the drier upon the halt of the Witnesses:

thread feed. GILBERT FLETCHER TYSON, Intestimony whereof I have signed my EDWARD GEORGE DAVIES. 

